Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Website: http://web.mit.edu/scienceprogram/
Timeline: June 21- 27, 2009
Summary: Each summer, approximately 50 full-time K-12 science and math teachers are selected to share MIT's perspective on how engineers apply the principles of science to meet the technological needs of society. Upon completion of SEPT, participants are accepted into Network of Educators in Science and Technology (NEST). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Science and Engineering Program for Teachers.
Teacher Quotes:
Rachel Tenenbaum, SEPT Teacher, LaJolla High School, California
“One of the first things they tell you at the SEPT workshop is to get ready for a ‘drink from the fire hose.’ My experience at the conference was overwhelming and inspiring. I was able to network with teachers and professors from around the world and learn more about my content area (biology), as well as other areas of science and engineering. I also learned about other programs that are available and that have piqued my interest. The SEPT program was a great experience and I highly recommend it.”
One of the best speakers in the program was Dr. Sadoway, who taught introductory chemistry. His unique way of teaching chemistry using music and media was fascinating. I am going to work some of his ideas into my teaching of basic chemistry. I have already downloaded his lectures from the open courseware program. The open courseware program is a site available to teachers where whole MIT courses are available. I also enjoyed the experience of working with other teachers in a systems engineering team. I now have a wealth of new information that [I] will enjoy sharing with my students.
In addition as part of the SEPT conference I went to a presentation by a NEST (Network of Educators in Science and Technology) member. The presentation gave me great ideas for a pre-school course I am doing for incoming 9th graders at La Jolla High School. I plan on having students learn about macromolecules and go online to look at protein structures. I am very excited to be implementing these ideas directly into the classroom.
Perhaps the most important message I received from this experience is that MIT is not an ‘ivory tower.’ Professors there are interested in helping and working with teachers to improve and enrich science education. They are very approachable. I now feel that I have a better idea of what MIT is looking for in students and can better assist my students in making a selection that might include MIT. Thank you all for this tremendous opportunity.”
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Website: http://www.cmu.edu/enrollment/summerprogramsfordiversity/sams.html
Timeline: June 27- August 7, 2009
Summary: SAMS aims to increase the number of young people (especially high school juniors from underrepresented groups) who chose to study science, engineering or math at highly selective U.S. universities. The program nurtures students through classroom instruction, project coursework, and academic development. The program was recognized in the Association of American Colleges & Universities recent publication "More Reasons for Hope: Diversity Matters in Higher Education."
Ty Walton, director of the Carnegie Mellon Advising Resource Center:
“Our goal is to enlarge the pipeline by developing more high performing diverse students that are bound for the nation’s top-rated undergraduate engineering and science programs, of which Carnegie Mellon is one.”
Student Quotes:
“If I could choose a few defining moments in my life, my matriculation at SAMS would be one of them. For the first time, I felt liberated from any stereotype and accepted into a community of thinkers, intelligent young students eager to learn from on another.” - Turi Alcoser, SAMS student
“SAMS is not like other summer programs. Although we had a great time, and made a lot of friends, this was not the only goal of SAMS. “To make good students excellent” is the motto seen time and time again. It took me a while to understand what that actually meant. But now, to me it simply means that we are all great students, but like anything in life, there is always room for improvement. I was impressed by such a large promotion for diversity. It is an awesome feeling to be greeted with open arms, especially when it’s because of a certain part of you that usually leads to rejection and dismissal by others. It is inspiring to see so many minorities breaking out of the vicious cycle society imposes on them, and living successful lives…Along with hope, I have also been inspired to do well in life. SAMS has created many keys for me to use. With these keys, I can open all kinds of doors for myself. Before I came here, I hadn’t even considered coming to a school like Carnegie Mellon. Although I have always set high goals for myself, I have never felt as confident as I do now that I am actually able to achieve them. Although I now have the keys, I still need to find the doors myself in order to open them.” - Jordan Arellano, SAMS student
“I am confident that the skills I acquired during the program will help me in becoming a better student and therefore excelling in my junior year of high school. As I look proudly at my certificate of achievement which I have hung on my wall, I look forward to perhaps another six weeks of the summer program in the coming year.” - Roland Achuko, SAMS student
“I write to relate how my summer experience at CMU is presently reflected in my current classes. It has promoted my will to excel beyond, and my ability to do well in several subject areas. The grades for two of my best classes- Chemistry and Advanced Algebra, are remarkable. Initially, my teachers were very alarmed that I grasped the material so quickly. The in-depth preparation for the standardized college admission examination was well appreciated. The experience gained for math and science skills, while learning analytical concepts and doing hands on projects, greatly contributed to developing the confidence that I acquired to become a “master” student…
There was a magnitude of love and respect for the entire class. An excellent bond was created and today, we remain in contact with each other via text messages and emails.” - Telford Lewis Jr., SAMS student
Location: Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Website: www.txstate.edu/mathworks
Timeline: June 8 - 19, 2009 (Junior Summer Math Camp) and June 21 - August 1, 2009 Honors Summer Math Camp)
Summary: Texas Mathworks conducts summer math programs on the Texas State campus to engage students about math and science, including the Junior Summer Math Camp for students in 4th – 8th grade, and the Honors Summer Math Camp for outstanding high school students across the country. This intensive summer program develops talented youth by providing challenging courses in a unique learning environment. In the past 7 years, more than 70 students have been named semifinalists or above in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology.
Director, Max Warshauer:
“I love working with our students, and seeing them develop the confidence to tackle almost any new problem. Students learn to work together and to never give up no matter how hard the problem may seem. The goal is to prepare our future leaders as independent thinkers and problem solvers who can help lead our country in the years ahead.”
Student quotes:
"Math Camp really lets you enjoy math and be enthusiastic about it.” - Phillip Hu, junior at Clements High School in Sugar Land, TX
First year student at Honors Summer Math Camp
“Math Camp has been a wonderful challenge! It has shown me that there is a completely different world out there that many people don't know about. I'm thankful for the opportunity of experimenting with something out of my comfort zone.” - Abigail Muñiz, junior at Valle Verde Early College High School in El Paso, TX, First year student at Honors Summer Math Camp)
“Going to Math Camp was one of the best decisions I made in high school. I have learned so much about myself and my potential. The people I meet are unforgettable, and the things I learn are priceless.” - Krystal Saxton, freshman at University of Chicago, Junior Counselor at Honors Summer Math Camp
“Math Camp provided me an opportunity to not only further my own interest in and knowledge of mathematics but also a chance to interact with like-minded people.” - Sameer Deshpande, freshman at Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2009 Presidential Scholar, Counselor at Honors Summer Math Camp
“Math Camp isn't just about doing math. It's about acquiring the confidence that you will be able to overcome challenges.” - Eduardo Cepeda, freshman at Stanford University, Counselor at Honors Summer Math Camp
Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
Website: http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/gift/real.htm
Timeline: June 8 – July 24, 2009
Summary: The program provides high level summer outreach experiences to students and teachers from low income and minority high schools, particularly from Fulton and Dekalb County schools and Atlanta Public Schools. In summer 2009, the research focused on the field of human augmentation. Teams of students work within the Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program, and direct supervision is provided from a teacher from their school and personnel from the Georgia Tech laboratory.
Bonnie Harris, Program Manager
Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT)
"Because of Siemens support of GIFT's High School Researchers Program, we have been able to provide opportunities for high school students from populations under represented in science, mathematics and computing fields to actively seek information and test theories beyond the classroom. Through this increased exposure to real life examples of math, science and technology use, students experience first hand the skills and knowledge necessary for the preparation of careers in those fields."
Douglas Edwards, Director of the Magnet Program for Math and Science, Westlake High School
"The Georgia Tech--Siemens High School Summer Research Program has not only developed our students to operate at a higher level, but has also enhanced our program so that we have almost double the number of students who apply to our math and science magnet program to become engineers and scientist than we did before we started the research program. Since we started bringing student research teams to Georgia Tech in the summer of 2004, 27 of 29 participants have gone into STEM majors when they entered college."
Location: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA
Websites: http://www.surf.caltech.edu
http://www.classroomconnection.caltech.edu/src/index.html
Timeline: June 25 – August 10, 2009
Program Summary: Hands-on research experience and project-based learning allows students and teachers to make real-world connections to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and they provide for a richer appreciation for the scientific process of discovery and how that process impacts our world. Begun in 2008, the Summer Research Connection accomplishes this goal by creating small student-teacher collaborative groups and placing them in local research laboratories where they perform scientific research under the guidance of research mentors.
James Maloney, SRC Coordinator
“The goals of the Summer Research Connection (SRC) are to give students and teachers a deeper understanding of the research process, project management skills, and the ability to do school-based research to present in their classrooms and districts, and in competitions such as the Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology. Our strategy is to create small student-teacher collaborative groups and match them with laboratories where they can perform scientific research under the guidance of research mentors. We have been tremendously pleased with the amount of support we have been able to provide to students and teachers, the enthusiasm and dedication the participants have exhibited, and the growth in their understanding of the scientific process that we have witnessed.”
Participant Quotes:
Ashley Kennard, student at Marshall Fundamental High School, of the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD):
“The impact it had on me changed what I thought about science. My interests in science grew stronger and changed my plans in the future to try a science field in college. You put so much passion and effort into finding the solution and trying to tell the world about it, which is a great feeling at the end.”
Teacher Quote:
Melinda Reynolds, teacher at John Muir High School, of the Pasadena Unified School District
“The SRC has helped me understand the challenges and the excitement in scientific research. Participating in this research project has been empowering for me, and I believe it has been so for the students as well. We are constantly learning, feeling more confident as we gain experience, and becoming more familiar with the nature of scientific research. As a teacher, it has highlighted the importance of incorporating ways for students to have genuine research experience of their own as part of science class and has given me ideas on how to connect the standard curriculum to present-day research.”
Location: Smith College, Northhampton, MA
Website: http://www.smith.edu/news/2008-09/ssep-155.php
Timeline: July 1 - July 25, 2009
Summary: SSEP is an annual month-long residential program for high school girls that culminates with student presentations in astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, engineering, women’s health and writing. Siemens support of the program provides opportunities for talented girls nationwide, particularly those who may not otherwise afford it, to explore their interests in science and work closely with faculty and explore the possibilities for their future.
Gail Scordilis, Director of Educational Outreach:
“Now in its twentieth year, the Smith College Summer Science and Engineering Program for high school girls has hosted more than 1,600 students representing 44 U.S. states and 47 foreign countries – more than 50% have been awarded financial aid and 40% are students of color. “A major goal of Smith's outreach efforts is to provide educational experiences that transform girls' views of their world, opening their minds to exciting opportunities for their futures. With the support of the Siemens Foundation, Smith College is reaching economically disadvantaged girls, engaging them in explorations of science and engineering, with the goal of encouraging their pursuit of undergraduate degrees and careers in these fields.”
Students:
"I had two really valuable experiences at the Smith College Summer Science & Engineering Program (SSEP). The first one would simply be the classes I took - I learned a lot, and felt I was more capable and confident after. I also really enjoyed the opportunity to meet a lot of other girls my age who are also interested in science and engineering."
"I learned a lot from the hands-on approach. Learning how to solve problems by actually trying things out rather than simply thinking about them made a big difference."
"As a result of the SSEP, I have more determination to take more science classes in the future."
"The robotics class was awesome and it has definitely made me realize my interest in engineering."
"Most of all I learned I want a future working in the lab."
"I would definitely recommend the SSEP to a friend. First, I think the classes are great - you learn a lot and they are also really fun. The program is also a really great way to find out if you are really interested in science/engineering. I would also recommend it because all the people I met were so nice and we had so much fun together."
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Website: https://uteach.utexas.edu/go/uteachweb/Our-Programs/Master-of-Arts-in-Science-and-Mathematics-Education-Program
Timeline: June 29 - July 3, 2009
Summary:
The UTeach Summer Master's Program is designed to provide teaching professionals who are working full-time the opportunity to grow into the next generation of teacher leaders at their schools and local school districts. This summer, with support from the Siemens Foundation, 13 candidates in mathematics and 10 candidates in earth sciences have begun work on their master's degrees.
Young Scientists Program. Students at the University of Texas at Austin are using the summer session to show students in area elementary schools that science and math can be fun. In partnership with the Siemens Foundation, UTeach Outreach conducted day camps for the Young Scientists Program. A total of 53 sixth-graders from Barrington, T.A. Brown and Walnut Creek Elementary Schools participated in the Chemistry Camp. The following week, 17 seventh-grade students from Kealing Middle School took part in the Aerodynamics Camp. University of Texas student teachers in the UTeach Program served as coaches for the camps, gaining valuable teaching experience toward their goal of becoming certified as math and science teachers upon graduation.
Quotes:
Dr. Michael Marder, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, UTeach Director
“The Siemens Foundation has helped build an exceptional partnership with The University of Texas at Austin. Not only does the Siemens Competition allow high school students to receive recognition and awards for scientific inquiries at the highest level, assistance from the Siemens Foundation provides opportunities for science teachers to receive advanced degrees, and for under-represented middle school students to have strong motivating experiences involving science during the summer. The Siemens Foundation is at the forefront of trying to create a culture of excellence for U.S. students in science and mathematics.”
Camp Coordinator Jo Garcia:
"Many of the kids had to ride the bus on their own from far across town just to get here. When they started showing up early, never complained about the heat, and on the last day were asking if they could come back next year, I knew that it was a great experience for the students, as well."
Students:
Amber Rose Rodriguez said that what she liked most was working with a partner to make hot air balloons out of tissue paper. "When we were finished making them, we got to blow them up with hot air so they would float. I thought that was very interesting."
Diego Garcia said that summer camp was fun because there were lots of hands-on activities. "The things I liked most about the aerodynamics camp were building a rocket and going on a field trip to see real airplanes."
Jessica Salazar said, "Camp was a great experience for me, especially the field trip to the airport. I hope I'll have a chance to do these kinds of activities again and learn much more."
Bill Russell completed his Master's Degree in August 2008. The year after completing the program, Bill was selected as Teacher of the Year at his high school. "My graduate studies really opened my eyes to how high school mathematics connects with college mathematics, and I have invested effort at my school in emphasizing those connections,”
Location: University of Notre Dame
Websites: http://ret.nd.edu
http://www.nd.edu/~ndrets/
Timeline: June – August 2009
Summary: RET@ND is a program of summer research projects for high school teachers. The projects are directed by faculty members from several academic departments in the Colleges of Engineering and Science at Notre Dame. The Siemens Foundation support focuses on a mathematics workshop. Participating teachers are encouraged to create new curricular modules for use in their classrooms. The projects cover a wide choice of topics and vary in duration from 4 to 8 weeks. An RET symposium takes place in August, where teachers will discuss how their work might impact their classrooms.
Dr. Alexander Hahn, Professor and Director of the Kaneb Center for Teaching and Learning:
“The funding that the Siemens Foundation has provided has given over 15 high school teachers in STEM disciplines the opportunity to pursue high level science (with a focus on mathematics in recent years) within laboratory experiences and workshops within the RET initiative at Notre Dame. The participating teachers have been successful in incorporating parts of what they have learned into the curricular programs of their high school classes. It is essential that our high schools be staffed by teachers who are inspired by the new advances in their disciplines and who can draw their students into discussions about these advances with confidence. This is what the Siemens Foundation funds have contributed to in this region of northern Indiana and southern Michigan. “
Location: Southern University and A&M College System, Baton Rouge, LA
Websites: http://www.phys.subr.edu/TA/About_TA1.htm
http://www.phys.subr.edu/TA/TAhome.htm
http://www.subr.edu/research/orsi/strategicinitiatives.htm
Timeline: June 1 – July 28 2009
Summary:
TimbuktuAcademy is a recruitment, holistic mentoring, and research participation program for students from middle school to graduate school. The objectives are to produce first-class scientists and engineers who pursue PhD degrees; to produce, organize, and disseminate knowledge through research, publications, and presentations; and to render professional services to the educational, corporate, and other communities.
SMART is a strategic plan of action which addresses the historical under-representation of minorities in baccalaureate and doctoral ranks of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The objectives of SMART are to help increase retention and graduation rates of STEM majors and to increase the number of the STEM baccalaureates who pursue doctoral degrees in STEM disciplines.
